The Wrong Starting Point

Earlier this week, I attended a Christian Leadership Conference in London. There were parts of the conference that I enjoyed. Johannes Hartl and Andy Crouch immediately spring to mind.

During the worship, while I did join in some, I was really more of an observer, for a few reasons. First, I didn’t know many of the songs. Second, I have an issue singing songs from Hillsong and Bethel due to the well-documented toxic leadership culture that emanates from those two organisations. And then, one of the songs I did know, I struggle with the wording about God’s wrath being satisfied on the cross, and where that idea leads to.

The host of the conference began the conference, saying that you will hear some things from the stage that you don’t agree with, but listen respectfully. I think that is a crucial idea for Christians to practice and grow in. At the same time, for me at least, listening respectfully to a speaker that I might differ with on some aspects of theology or practice is different from singing songs that are problematic for me. I can still listen respectfully, but I won’t be able to join in.

All that to say, what stood out to me most during worship was the use of the word Saviour. It would be an exaggeration to say the word featured in every song, but it sure seemed like it.

Photo by Sai Madhav on Unsplash

Now, to be clear, I have zero issues with the word. I believe Jesus is the Saviour of the World!

Based on the number of songs chosen which emphasised the word, it would be an obvious conclusion that Saviour is the most important way to think about Jesus.

But is it?

How the Apostles Understood Jesus

Let’s look at the New Testament, which was written either by Apostles or close associates who were also church leaders.

In the New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation, there are 260 chapters. In those 260 chapters, the word Saviour/Savior (at least in the NIV) is used 24 times. About 6 to 8 of those 24 times, it is referring to “God our Saviour”, meaning not Jesus. Calling God Saviour was a common practice in the Hebrew Bible as well.

So Jesus is called Saviour about 18 times in the New Testament. About once every 14.5 chapters.

The words Messiah or Christ occur 532 times. Or just over 2 times per chapter.

(note, depending on translations and search terms these numbers can vary.)

Obviously, frequency isn’t everything, but it clearly demonstrates what the early church emphasised.

The Apostles understood Jesus first as the Messianic King promised by God. Today, the tendency is to miss that emphasis as Christ is often viewed as part of Jesus’ name.

When I read, write or teach, I normally substitute “the Messiah” whenever I find Christ.

So Is Jesus Saviour?

Yes. But he is the Saviour because he is the Messianic King! His saving work is one of the benefits of his rule.

Why Does This Matter?

So, you focus on Jesus as God’s Messiah; others focus on his work of saving us from our sins. Who cares as long as we are all following Jesus?

I contend it makes a huge difference and helps explain why the church has a discipleship problem.

In Matthew 28, we see Jesus give what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission:

Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

That passage is commonly taught as a call to evangelise the nations. But it doesn’t mention evangelism at all. It is a commission to make disciples. And remember, a disciple is simply a student or apprentice of a teacher. Apprentices learn by watching their teacher, listening to their teacher and doing what their teacher instructs.

Evangelism is a foundational Christian practice, but it is not what Jesus is emphasising here.

The Great Commission begins with a statement that all authority now rests with Jesus. And it is on that basis that he gives us his mission.

The commission we have is to help people become genuine followers of Jesus, but it is about discipleship, not evangelism (primarily at least).

Salvation as a Benefit of Allegiance

Think about it this way. The common evangelical gospel explanation goes something like this:

“Because he offers you forgiveness, Jesus is your Saviour. Accept his salvation.”

Later on, there may be an explanation that additionally, Jesus wants to be King of your life.

But if I already have my sin problem taken care of — If my eternity is set. What is the impetus to make him king as well? I may love him as Saviour, but what is the point or benefit of having him as king?

But what if we begin with “Jesus is the King! Accept his kingship! Pledge allegiance to Jesus the Messiah, and through that, Jesus is offering you saving rescue, including the forgiveness of your sins.”

As Matthew Bates writes in Why the Gospel:

Why must we present Jesus as King first? Not only because “Jesus is the Christ” best summarizes the gospel in Scripture, but also because Jesus’s saving benefits, like forgiveness, are only available through his kingship.

That is exactly the order of Matthew 28. Authority first, then mission. Starting with Jesus as Saviour may lead to discipleship, but the church’s current discipleship problem is clear evidence that it often does not.

But when our starting point is “Jesus is the king, give your allegiance to him,” we are already in a mode of following, not simply receiving.

And the mission he gave to us is not to “go get people into heaven,” but “announce and embody the reign of King Jesus in the world by making disciples.”

How do you most naturally think of Jesus, as Saviour or as Messiah? What would discipleship look like if we started with allegiance?